Washington, July 5, 1862. 9 A.M.

Major-general George B. McCLELLAN: 

A thousand thanks for the relief your two despatches of 12 and 1 P.M. yesterday gave me.  Be assured the heroism and skill of yourself and officers and men is, and forever will be, appreciated.

If you can hold your present position, we shall have the enemy yet.

A. LINCOLN

TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK.

War department, Washington city, D.C., July 6, 1862.

Major-general Halleck, Corinth, Mississippi.

My dear sir:—­This introduces Governor William Sprague, of Rhode Island.  He is now Governor for the third time, and senator-elect of the United States.

I know the object of his visit to you.  He has my cheerful consent to go, but not my direction.  He wishes to get you and part of your force, one or both, to come here.  You already know I should be exceedingly glad of this if, in your judgment, it could be without endangering positions and operations in the southwest; and I now repeat what I have more than once said by telegraph:  “Do not come or send a man if, in your judgment, it will endanger any point you deem important to hold, or endangers or delays the Chattanooga expedition.”

Still, please give my friend, Governor Sprague, a full and fair hearing.

Yours very truly,

A. Lincoln.

Memorandum of an interview between the president and general McCLELLAN and other officers during A visit to the army of the
Potomac at HARRISON’S landing, Virginia.

July 9, 1862.

The president:  What amount of force have you now?

General McCLELLAN:  About 80,000, can’t vary much, certainly 75,000.

The president:[to the corps commanders]
What is the whole amount of your corps with you now.

General Sumner:  About 15,000. 
General Heintzelman:  15,000 for duty. 
General Keyes:  About 12,500. 
General Porter:  About 23,000—­fully 20,000 fit for duty. 
General Franklin:  About 15,000.

The president:  What is likely to be your condition as to health in this camp?

General McCLELLAN:  Better than in any encampment since landing at
Fortress Monroe.

President Lincoln:[to the corps commanders] In your present encampment what is the present and prospective condition as to health?

General Sumner:  As good as any part of Western Virginia.

General Heintzelman:  Excellent for health, and present health improving.